Southampton have been a bit of a bogey side against their opponents in recent years as Liverpool's record against them is not the best to say the least, and this includes back-to-back defeats to Mauricio Pochettino's men. The Saints will hope to repeat the feat this weekend, where a win could see them leapfrog Newcastle into eighth place.

Liverpool will want to get over their little bogey patch against Southampton by getting only their second win at St Mary's in five visits in order to keep up their pursuit of the title challengers. With Manchester City taking part in the League Cup final, a win would take them up to third at least, even though City will have played two games less.

After an impressive start to the season, Southampton's league form has been a little inconsistent of late, having won four, drawn three and lost three of their last ten Premier League games, including a 3-1 defeat to West Ham United last weekend.

Liverpool may have been criticised for their tendency to leak goals but their league form sees them unbeaten in their last eight, winning six of them, the latest the 4-3 win over Swansea City at Anfield. If you go back a bit further you will see Liverpool have won ten of their last 14 league games which has put them right in the title race, and in command of the fourth Champions League spot.

Key stats

Here are the two sides top scorers in the Premier League this season

Name

Team

Pos

Goals

Apps

Mins

Luis Suarez

Liverpool

FW

23

22

1,974

Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool

FW

18

19

1,496

Jay Rodriguez

Southampton

FW

10

27

2,118

Rickie Lambert

Southampton

FW

8

26

1,981

Steven Gerrard

Liverpool

MF

7

23

1,933

Adam Lallana

Southampton

MF

7

27

2,199

Their average possession statistics

Name

Possession Percentage

Played

Southampton

57.81

27

Liverpool

53.89

27

And the amount of clean sheets they have kept this season.

Name

Clean Sheet

Played

Southampton

10

27

Liverpool

7

27

5 players to watch

Dejan Lovren - Lovren was outstanding at Anfield earlier on in the season when Southampton both boasted a mean defence and potent attacking threat. They still have those qualities but they are going to have to be on show and at their best if they want to grab another win against Liverpool.

Daniel Agger - Agger has come in for a fair amount of criticism in recent weeks as the Dane was substituted in the win over Swansea. Manager Brendan Rodgers appears to have backed his vice-captain by saying he will play this weekend, and he is going to need a good performance in order to keep a dangerous side at bay.

Adam Lallana - Lallana seems to cause every big side difficulties with his technique and vision and he could really cause this Liverpool side problems given their defensive frailties, especially if the Reds don't remain compact.

Daniel Sturridge - Sturridge has been on a hot scoring streak - scoring in each of his last eight Premier League appearances - which has taken him to 18 league goals so far this season. The visitors will be hoping he can keep up his good form and help continue the Reds' push towards the top of the table.

Rickie Lambert - Lambert has been a handful for many sides this season, and on the previous occasions he has faced his boyhood club he has given them a tough time, as he has constantly been a threat. He may fancy his chances of doing what he did last season and getting on the scoresheet given Liverpool's leaky defence.

Earlier on in the season

Liverpool 0-1 Southampton, September 2013

As the season has gone on, it has shown just how well Southampton did earlier on in the season as they became the first and only visiting team to leave Anfield with all three points. Liverpool lined up with four centre-halves across the back whilst the Saints just kept pressing the home side and caused them all sorts of problems. They got their reward shortly after the half-time break when Adam Lallana's free-kick was headed in by Dejan Lovren. Where it not for a couple of impressive saves from Simon Mignolet, it could have been worse for Liverpool, as they were knocked off the top of the table and Southampton left with a richly deserved win.

Form Guide

Southampton Form

Liverpool Form

Like-for-like Form

Southampton Home Form

Liverpool Away Form

Ian Bolland

A journalism graduate of Liverpool John Moores University. During his time at university, Ian spent time on work experience at local newspapers in Liverpool, Bolton and Wigan, and prior to that he did work for The Observer's 'fans verdict'. Ian also has interests in news, current affairs and business but mostly sport, including football, rugby league, cricket, golf and Formula 1, amongst others.